Shinji Steel 75
Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.
(Ikari Apartment; same time)
Rits slowly opens her eyes at feeling the sensation of her bare rear being softly caressed. Looking upward, she smiles at seeing an awake Shinji and giggles. Shinji, in turn, leans down to her, a wide smile on his face. Eagerly, Rits leans upward and meets his lips with hers before the two French passionately. With Shinji gently stroking Rits' slender belly while they kiss. Soon, the need for air overtakes them, prompting them to end the lip-lock.
"Good morning, Shinji." Putting her hand atop Shinji's on her belly, she murmurs, "Our baby says 'good morning', too."
"Good morning, Rits. And good morning to you too, baby Ikari." Gently hefting Rits upward, he hears her giggle as he presses his lips to her belly before feeling her fingers go through his hair.
Gently lowering her down to where her face is level to his, he sees her smiling sultrily before they French again. As they kiss, Shinji runs his fingers through her long brown hair, getting a moan from her. Ending the kiss, albeit reluctantly, they both gaze into each others' eyes. Desire within as Rits lies on her back, spreading her legs before Shinji positions his face at her opening.
The next thing Rits feels is bliss as Shinji starts licking her. Softly placing the pillow to her face to muffle her erotic cries, Rits feels her pent-up sexuality release in orgasm. When she feels Shinji kissing her opening, she grins beneath the pillow, knowing what's next. Moving the pillow from her face, she smiles warmly as Shinji moves himself upward, equally warm smile on his face before his member enters her.
"Mmm, Shinji." Wrapping her arms and legs around his form, she kisses him softly as he begins gently pumping into her. "How long has it been since we last fucked?"
"A day. Too long for my liking, though."
"Mine too." She then closes her eyes in rapture as Shinji puts his lips to her right nipple before softly suckling on it. "Mmm. Shinji." Putting her left hand to his head, she 'purrs' in contentment just as he switches to her other breast. Gently squeezing the right one with his left hand, grazing the nipple with his finger. "Shinji, I love you."
"I love you too, Rits." A minute later, he feels his pressure growing, with Rits feeling it as well. Feeling her softly tighten her legs around his lower torso, Shinji grins. "As if I'd let loose anywhere else."
"You better believe you won't." Feeling Shinji's lips meet hers, Rits snakes out her tongue to meet his just as Shinji's essence pours into her once again.
(NERV HQ; Medical wing; thirty minutes later)
"Dr Akagi, there's a patient for you to look at." Brian's voice gets the brunette to look up and see an exhausted, sickly man with a small group of people. Giving him a nod, she walks over before looking the crowd over and seeing two other potential patients.
"Okay. What about the man in the wheelchair and the man on the crutch? Do they need treatment as well?"
"The 'man' in the wheelchair can wait until later on. Jenk, how about you?" Brian's query gets the man on the crutch to smirk softly.
"Nah. I'm good. Just gotta take it easy on my leg for a while. If it gets bad, however, I'll submit myself for treatment." Ritsu looks his leg over before grinning. "Doc?"
"Should you change your mind, 'Jenk', I've a treatment that I've just been eager to try out." Jenk blinks at that before nodding.
"Okay. Suppose I agree. What's involved?"
"Nutrient rich LCL, speeds up healing time depending on wound severity. Your thigh wound, for example, can be healed within a day." Jenk lets out an impressed whistle before shrugging.
"I'll let you know. Can you take walk-ins? Or 'hobble-ins' as my case would be?" Ritsu can't help but roll her eyes at it, yet with a soft grin on her face.
"I can make an arrangement like that. Do you have an actual name or…"
"Roland Jenkins, Doc. UNP-NY." Ritsu nods at that while making a note in her mind before looking her first patient over.
"Name, sir?"
"Vladimir Karpovskiva." Ritsu nods before turning her attention to the two women bracketing him.
"Are you with him?" The woman with short cut brown hair takes that moment to speak up.
"Kind of. UNBI Agents. I'm Janice Zuckerman and this is my partner, Ellie DeWitt. Mr Karpovskiva's in our custody for the murder of FBI Agent Tom Dyson. Although there are extenuating circumstances." Ritsu arches her eyebrows before shrugging and turning to Vladimir.
"Okay, Mr Karpovskiva. What's ailing you?"
"Pancreatic cancer. Terminal, Doc. From what the oncologist told me, anyway."
"Okay. Let's get you looked at." Turning back to the Agents, she asks, "I gather you'll be nearby, seeing as he's in your custody?" This time, Ellie takes the reply.
"Yeah, Doc. Though we won't be watching the whole time so you can work without interruption."
"Thank you, Agent DeWitt." Returning her attention to Vladimir, she says, "Let's get started, Mr Karpovskiva." Next thing she knows, she sees Brian's girlfriend softly embrace Vladimir and arches her eyebrows even more. "Do you know him, Miss Kamenev?"
"He's my Father, Dr Akagi. I hadn't seen him since I was a little girl." Nikita's eyes go wide before she asks, "That's the source of your first rule, isn't it, Papa?"
"It is." Feeling her squeeze him softly, he returns it as best he can. "You go ahead and see Captain Sychola with your intended and the others, my little Princess. I'm sure I'm in good hands."
"I will, Papa." Ending her hug, she exchanges glances with Ritsu, Ellie and Janice before nodding and exiting the Medical wing.
(Section-2 offices; twenty minutes later)
As he and Hisnokasu wheel Cochrane through the hallway leading to Sychola's office, Brian can't help but wonder how his superior Officer will take the revelation about his Father losing his life while investigating his abduction. Next thing he knows, Hisnokasu gently nudges him in the ribs.
"You okay there, Dyson?"
"Yes, Lieutenant. I'm just thinking."
"Oh? About what?"
"I'll tell you at the same time Agents DeWitt, Zuckerman and I tell Captain Sychola. Suffice it to say, it'll probably blow your mind to no end." Hisnokasu gives a soft snort at that.
"I've seen quite a bit, Dyson. I think I can take what it is you have to say." Looking back toward Lisa, Danny, Jenk, Gertrude and Nikita, he asks, "Are you sure you didn't want Mr Karpovskiva to meet Captain Sychola as well? Along with Agents DeWitt and Zuckerman?"
"I'm sure they'll meet at some point in time. I just wanted Vlad to see Dr Akagi about a second opinion. Just in case. Ellie and Janice have him in their custody, though it rankles them to no end. Can't say I blame them for it."
"I know what you mean, Dyson. The man's a victim much as he's a perpetrator." A snort from in front of them gets their attention.
"Pfft. Please. The man's a cold-blooded killer. He's not worth your time or concern."
"I suppose you know about cold-blooded killers that are wastes of time and concern, Cochrane. Seeing as you're one of the worst there is." Brian then snidely sneers down at him with, "When I blew away your kneecaps and your shooting arm's shoulder, I was tempted. Very tempted to do the world a favor and just execute you for your crimes against humanity."
"Why didn't you then?"
"I remembered Dad's desire to bring you in alive for prosecution. So I shelved that temptation and did only minimal damage to you."
"Minimal damage?! You call what you did to me minimal damage?!"
"Compared to what he could've done to you, based on his report, Cochrane, yes." Hisnokasu snickers as he adds, "I only wish I'd been there to see him take those shots. I'm sure they'd been works of art. Officer Kinsey, your opinion?"
"I'm not really much of an art buff, Lieutenant. So I'll just agree with you and say my little brother is quite an artist. Especially when it comes to precision shot placement." Giggling softly, she adds, "No way I could've pulled that off as I'd have gone right for center mass. As per regs, of course." Hisnokasu gives a soft smirk at that.
"Of course." As they near the space for Sychola's office, they hear Cochrane gasp audibly.
"Ugatinoga?!" Machiko looks toward the voice and blinks twice before Cochrane asks, "What are you doing here?! I believe I had you blacklisted from employment!"
"I work here, regardless of being blacklisted. Bigger questions come to mind. Why are you here and why are you in a wheelchair?"
"You can blame Agent Dyson for that. Now, where's your supervisor so I can get him to dismiss you?!"
"You haven't changed a bit." Sighing, Machiko picks up the intercom and says, "Agent Dyson, Lieutenant Hisnokasu, Ms Kamenev and additional parties are here to see you, sir. One of them has a demand as well, sir."
"Send them on in and come in as well, Machiko."
"Yes, sir." Rising from her desk, she goes to the door and opens it. Not noticing Jenk's eyes gazing upon her.
'She's so pretty!' Shaking himself mentally, Jenk moves along on his solitary crutch. Unaware that Lisa, Danny, Nikita and Gertrude had noticed. Nikita and Gertrude share a soft smile while Lisa and Danny both look at each other and share a wickedly conspiratorial grin.
'The perfect opportunity for payback for all those times he teased us!' Getting their grins under control, they both look and wince at him favoring his leg. 'Fool! Why didn't he take Dr Akagi up on treatment?!' Once they enter the office, however, they see Brian and Hisnokasu saluting the man with blond hair in a flat-top cut.
"Agent Dyson, returning from fact-finding mission, sir."
"Welcome back, Dyson. Stand easy." Once Brian's done so, he says, "I believe you have some people for me to meet, along with a 'gift' of sorts."
"Of course, sir. The VIP, Gertrude Brantley, former spouse of Joseph 'Birdman' Jones." Sychola rises and extends his hand toward Gertrude, with Gertrude returning the gesture.
"Welcome to Tokyo-3, Ms Brantley. I only wish it was under better circumstances."
"As do I, Captain." Seeing him indicate a seat, she graciously takes him up on it before asking, "Did you ever meet Joseph, Captain?"
"Only briefly, ma'am. It was when I wasn't quite a 'nice' person, you might say. But you have my utmost condolences to you on your loss." Gertrude nods at that before taking a deep breath.
"Did he suffer?"
"From what Agent Dyson and I could tell, he went relatively quickly as he bled out."
"Were you and Agent Dyson there with him when he died?"
"No ma'am. Though, from imprints on the ground at his side, we can tell at least two people were with him as he died. Giving him comfort."
"I see. Do you know who they were?"
"I'm afraid not, ma'am." Loathing having to conceal his 'suspicions' when he wants to tell her, he knows that telling her is not a good idea as she likely wouldn't believe it. "But I can tell that whoever it was with him gave him some measure of peace."
"Then that's the most important thing. Do you know how it happened?"
"According to Dr Akagi, when Dyson and I talked to her, it was a small amount of binary explosive with a proximity trigger. Meant only to mildly wound him, with a short recovery time for him."
"Explosive?! Why? To what end?!"
"It rankled her as well, but if she hadn't done as the previous Commander of NERV had ordered, he'd have had someone more unscrupulous than her do the work. With her being expendable in the former Commander's eyes. So, she used a small amount just to try to spare his life. But, somehow, from what she can tell, the explosive had seemingly been increased without her knowledge."
"Mother of… where is the former Commander at now?"
"He's currently in the brig until further notice."
"I see. Should you see him in the near future, please tell him I'll be filing a wrongful death lawsuit on him. And only him. He can look forward to hearing from my attorneys, with them calling Dr Akagi as a witness on my late former husband's behalf."
"So you hold no ill will toward Dr Akagi?"
"No. I hold no ill will toward her, Captain. She was in fear for her life, from what you said. So what could she really do but comply, albeit mildly?" Shaking it off, she adds, "I'd like to see about exhuming his body for transport back to the States."
"Okay. Dyson knows where the site is. Do you want us to call anyone to officiate the service?" Gertrude gently shakes her head, a sad smile on her face.
"I've already notified his rabbi and scheduled a proper service for him. It's for as soon as I can get him stateside." Sychola nods at that as Gertrude rises. "I'll just wait in the outer office for until after Agent Dyson's finished."
"Yes, ma'am. Once again, my condolences to you. He must've been important to you, even though you were estranged."
"He was everything to me." Her eyes dripping tears, she adds, "I distanced myself from him instead of staying strong at his side. I've been regretting that for the past three years. Before I found out he'd died, I'd been trying to find him so I can make amends. But now…" Gertrude breaks down into tears, with Nikita quickly going to her side.
"Let's get you out of sight, Ms Brantley."
"Thank… you…, dearie." Nikita nods at that before easing a sobbing Gertrude out of the office. Brian shakes off his emotion as best he can before clearing his throat.
"As soon as we get done, sir, I'll get an exhumation detail together."
"Very good, Dyson. Proceed." Brian nods before taking a deep breath.
"Might as well get this out of the way, sir. Your 'gift' is the one in the wheelchair, sir." As Sychola blinks his mask's eyelids, Brian goes on. "Former Interpol Chief Inspector Frederick Cochrane. AKA, the 'Candyman Slayer' as Dad had dubbed him during the investigation at the time of his death." Machiko's jaw can't help but drop before she recovers it. A sinister grin appearing on her face.
"Cochrane, a kid killer? I don't know if I should get an M-16 and come after Cochrane or call Ray to tell him about Cochrane." Even through the make-up on his face, one could tell that Cochrane's face is pale white. "Yeah. Let me call Ray right quick, sir. I'm sure he'd love the chance to interrogate Cochrane." Cochrane's voice comes up, panic slowly edging to the surface.
"No. Do not call that lunatic, Ugatinoga. Thinking of, Psycho, why did you hire her given her being blacklisted?"
"First off, I'm trying to leave that name behind me as it was hung on me by an even worse psycho. Second of all, blacklists mean nothing to me."
"How can you say that?!"
"As long as one's proficient in their job, that's good enough criteria for me. Third of all, you do not give anyone that works with me orders or instructions. I do. So, on that note… Machiko."
"Yes, sir?"
"Call Ray. I'd like to meet him." For an instant, Cochrane can see utter glee in Machiko's eyes. Glee that scares him to no end.
"Yes sir." As she exits the office, she snickers out, "And it's not even my birthday." Brian, Sychola and Hisnokasu can't help but smirk at her 'cheerfulness' and Cochrane's fear. Neither can the other three people within the office. Sychola looks Cochrane over before grinning.
"Normally, Dyson, gifts don't come to me damaged. So what happened to this one?" Brian smirks softly at that before it becomes a smile.
"Your 'gift' was fixing to shoot my adoptive sister, sir." Sychola blinks at that before Brian goes on. "Came as a shock to me as well, sir. It seems before he died, Dad had finalized adoption proceedings and was looking to meet up with her. Thinking of…" Lisa smiles softly and, with Danny at her side, steps forward.
"My sister, Lisa, and her husband, Danny O'Malley. They're Officers with UNP-NY. The one on the crutch is their friend and coworker, Roland Jenkins. Jenk to his friends." Sychola looks them over before smiling widely.
"I wish I could've been there for your Father, Lisa. He must've meant quite a bit to you."
"He did, sir. Much like…" Her voice trailing off, she sees Brian shake his head 'no'. Remembering that he wants to tell Sychola himself, she nods back, hastily adding, "Much like I'm sure he'd have gotten along with you, sir." Machiko takes that moment to poke her head back in.
"Sir, I'll have to keep trying to reach Ray. It seems he's out of the office right now." Sychola nods at that, ignoring Cochrane's sigh of relief, before smirking at Hisnokasu.
"Lieutenant, have Cochrane put two cells down from Rokubungi, if you please."
"With pleasure, sir." As he wheels Cochrane backward, he calls out, "Tanaka, Ozuga, take this 'item' to the brig and put it two cells down from Rokubungi."
"Sure thing, Lt. Let's go, Tanaka." As the two Agents wheel Cochrane away, Hisnokasu hears Sychola go on.
"Keep trying to reach him every thirty minutes, Machiko."
"I will, sir." Next thing she knows, Jenk lightly hisses in pain. "Are you alright, Jenkins-san?"
"I'm alright. It's just my thigh suddenly flared up in pain on me." Lisa puts on an alarmed expression before nodding toward Machiko.
"Captain Sychola, would it be alright if Machiko was to escort Jenk back to the Medical wing for treatment?" Sychola sees a light amount of blood on Lisa's index fingertip before grinning softly.
"I do believe it'll be just fine for her to do so, Officer…"
"O'Malley, sir. Kinsey was my maiden name." Sychola nods at her before looking toward Machiko.
"Machiko, would you be so kind as to accompany Officer Jenkins to the Medical wing and stay with him until time comes for you to try calling Ray again?" Machiko's face takes on a splash of cute red before she nods.
"Yes, sir. Anything else?"
"Matter of fact, Machiko, there is." That in itself gets Sychola's attention.
"Go on."
"Captain Sychola, there's a matter two UNBI Agents and I need to discuss with you and Lt Hisnokasu. They're both in the Medical wing, monitoring a gravely ill patient that's in their custody. I was wondering if Machiko can relay a message to them for me." Sychola mulls it over before looking toward Machiko.
"Are you up to it, Machiko?"
"I can do it, sir. Agent Dyson?"
"Please tell them that 'Gunny Sychola is in and awaiting conference with them both, Lt Hisnokasu and myself'. They're Agents DeWitt and Zuckerman." Machiko nods at that before stepping to Jenk's side.
"I will let them know, Agent Dyson. Captain." Sychola nods silently at that, noticing Danny and Lisa exiting the office as well. Once the door's closed, Sychola exhales forcefully. Hisnokasu watching intently.
"While we wait, give me the basics, Brian."
"Yes, sir." Taking a seat when Sychola indicates for him and Hisnokasu both to sit, he goes on. "I found out why Dad died, sir. It wasn't to conceal Cochrane's criminal actions, though he did boast it did give him a boon in concealing them." Sychola nods tentatively, prompting Brian to go on. "It was to hinder an investigation Dad was doing in conjunction with NCIS. Off the books, that is." Hisnokasu takes that one.
"What kind of investigation, son?"
"The abduction of a US Marine masked as a homicide, sir. Particularly a mugging in progress. Said Marine was a Force Recon Marine. Looking to retire at the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and establish a camp for at-risk youths in Seattle WA." Taking a shuddering breath, he goes on. "Dad served with this Marine in ODS. Force Recon as well, a Staff Sergeant." Sychola pieces it together before taking a shuddering breath.
"He was looking for me, wasn't he?"
"Yes, sir."
Opening the file folder, he brings out the snapshot and gently places it onto the desk. His left hand trembling, Sychola gently picks up the picture and smiles softly at the picture of himself standing with a Marine with the Staff Sergeant rank.
"But you already know about it, don't you, sir?"
"I didn't even know Tom was searching for me. Let alone with me as a victim. While you and Nikita were gone, I looked him up and something came to my mind. So I looked up my records and saw we were both Force Recon. Same unit. I then figured out why I felt so at ease with you." Next thing Sychola knows, there's a knock on the door.
"It's open." When the door opens, he sees two women wearing business suits, UNBI shields in hand.
"Peter Sychola, US Marine Corps, Gunnery Sergeant, Force Recon?" At the blond woman's voice, Sychola nods before she nods back. "I'm former Marine Corps Corporal Ellie DeWitt, now with the UNBI. This is my partner and best friend, Janice Zuckerman."
"Corporal, Agent Zuckerman. Please, sit." Both Agents nod and do so before Sychola goes on. "Brian just gave me some of the basics regarding why you're here. Along with…"
"Why Tom died." Janice sighs gustily before smiling faintly. "Just so you know, Gunny, Tom never stopped looking for you. He was quite convinced you didn't willingly desert. Said you loved the Marine Corps too much to do that."
"Good old Tom. But, I don't see why he even bothered. If he knew what I'd done during… my absence, he wouldn't have hesitated to bring me down. Victim or not."
"That's not the way Dad would've seen it and you know it, sir. I know you know it." Brian's words get a soft grin from Sychola before he sighs.
"I suppose I'm in deep shit regardless. As I seriously doubt JAG will buy that as it'd be too farfetched for them. Hell, even I wouldn't believe it if I was a JAG."
"But, sir, you're a victim. You were under duress at the time." Ellie's voice is certain as she goes on. "Certainly someone can testify to that in an Article 31 hearing." Janice nods eagerly as she takes over.
"And let's not forget the work you've done here as Captain of Section-2. From what Brian told us, you shaped up a barely functional Security force into one that's on par with local Law Enforcement. I'm sure someone can testify to that as well."
"Well, maybe one or two. But that's not going to be enough. I'd need to get hold of the Doctor that treated me when I had my psychotic break, but I don't have his number. Ms Takamiya, however, does."
"Okay. We'll need to speak with her as well, get her take on you. How long have you known her?"
"A long time, Corporal. Back then, she wasn't…"
"Very nice either." Brian's reply gets a silent nod from him before Brian goes on. "We can still talk to her as she's the only one that can get us in touch with the Doctor that treated you." That gets Sychola to look up at Brian, getting the younger man to grin.
"My Dad died looking for you, sir, with the intent of ensuring you're okay. No matter what. Now that you're found, I'll do what I can to make sure you'll be alright. Within the letter of the law, of course."
"Of course." Looking toward Ellie and Janice, he asks, "How long did you two work with Tom?"
"About four years. We'd cleared 300 cases together in that time, with a 98% conviction rate." Janice frowns deeply, adding, "The other 2%, however, well, slick lawyers. Very slick." Ellie nods at that, a grimace on her face.
"Even after we'd certified our gathering of evidence was by the book, as had the Defense, that 2% still walked." Sychola frowns deeply at that.
"Sounds like a very rich person had his mitts on the slick lawyers. And I mean very, very rich." Brian mulls it over before his eyes bolt open.
"Sir, what if… Dread was involved? Could that have been the case?" Ellie and Janice both blink at that while Sychola ponders it.
"It's possible. But there'd have to be something linking the ruined cases to him. Or rather one of his aliases." Both men, along with Janice, lightly jump when an exasperated Ellie slams her palm down onto the desk.
"Will one of you two please make some crummy sense?! Who the fuck is 'Dread' and why would he be involved?!"
(Medical wing; same time)
"Um, Doc, if I'm gonna be totally submerged in this stuff, wouldn't I need some kind of breathing gear?" Ritsu smiles softly at an unsure Jenk's query before chuckling.
"No need to worry, Officer Jenkins, as the LCL is oxygenated. All you have to do is breath in and out like you would with air." Seeing Jenk ascend the tube's ladder, tentatively sniff the LCL and grimace, the brunette chuckles again. "I'm afraid the blood scent is all that's available when it comes to scent options, Officer."
"Not much of an option list, Doc. What kind of temperature am I looking at when it comes to the LCL?"
"85 degrees F.."
"Okay." Easing himself into the tube, he mutters, "Thanks for letting me keep my boxers at least. Not quite sure about being naked around two women I barely know."
"A little shy, Officer Jenkins?" At his nod, Ritsu rolls her eyes. "Looks like you'll have to get over that sooner or later. Wouldn't you agree, Miss Ugatinoga?" Machiko's face goes beet red before she shyly nods her head.
"Yes, Dr Akagi. A man as handsome as he is shouldn't be shy."
Next thing she knows, a soft splash is heard before she sees a fully-submerged Jenk in the LCL tube. She then sees him mouth 'here goes' before he exhales and inhales slowly. Breathing the LCL into his lungs, he erupts into a light convulsing fit before getting himself back under control. Upon seeing him breathe normally, Ritsu keys the intercom unit on the tank.
"How're you feeling, Officer Jenkins?" Seeing him stick his right thumb upward, Ritsu smirks. "You can speak, by the way. No need for gestures or moving your lips. Try again."
"I'm okay, Doc. But I gotta tell you, this is the first time I've breathed a liquid into my lungs."
"You're not the only one that's breathed in LCL for the first time, Officer, so I think it'll be safe to say you're in good company."
"Thanks. I think." Seeing him shrug gets Ritsu and Machiko to share a giggle before he asks, "How soon does the treatment start anyway, Doc?"
"It's already begun actually." Perplexed, Jenk looks down at his wounded thigh and frowns before looking back up. Only for Ritsu to intercept what he's about to say next. "It's working on a microscopic level, far smaller than what you can see, Officer. So it'll take a good six to ten hours of continuous submergence in the LCL."
"Okay." Looking over toward Vladimir, and seeing the man's asleep, Jenk asks, "What about Mr Karpovskiva, Doc? Is the oncologist right?"
"I'm afraid so, when it comes to the diagnosis, that is." Seeing Jenk blink, Ritsu smiles softly. "NERV's Medical capabilities are more advanced than what you'd expect, Officer. Not only is the LCL nutrient rich, it also has programmable nanites within it."
"Okay. Why isn't he in here ahead of me?"
"Due to his ill health when he arrived here, there was no way he could've gone into the tube without assistance. So, therefore, I injected a small amount of the LCL into his pancreas and got him to take a short rest."
"When will you know how far along his treatment is?"
"I'll check on him in about four hours before consulting with him about further treatment." Jenk nods at that before frowning in thought. "Officer?"
"Have you ever had days where you wonder if you're in the right line of work, Doc?"
"Up until about four months ago, yes. In fact, there were even days where I didn't even want to live anymore. But then I'd remember that if I don't live, someone without any kind of scruples would do my work and not give a damn." Jenk can't help but blink at that.
"What brought the change on?"
"My Fiancé and our unborn child. Of course, another factor was at play, but mainly them." Jenk can't help but grin widely at Ritsu.
"In that case, Doc, congrats to you and your Fiancé both on your upcoming nuptials and the impending birth of your child."
"Thank you, Officer Jenkins." Looking at a random readout, Ritsu nods. "Okay, Officer, you're currently at 5% healed and at only…" Checking the time, she adds, "3 minutes. But keep in mind that it's a long process. Once the wound's healed, you'll have to get yourself into shape to qualify for field duty. Clear?"
"Clear, Doc. Now if only… never mind."
"If only what, Officer?" Seeing Jenk grimace again, Ritsu frowns. "I'm waiting."
"I've something of an allergic reaction to painkillers, Doc. Though I don't know if it'd qualify as an allergy or not."
"Try me, Officer."
"Promise neither of you will laugh?"
"I promise." Machiko echoes it with a nod, getting Jenk to sigh.
"To put it simply, they make me goofy, Doc." Ritsu and Machiko both arch their eyebrows before Machiko takes it.
"In what way, Jenkins-san?"
"Did you read about the wanna-be jumper at the Empire State Building about six months back?" Ritsu nods, as does Machiko, before Jenk goes on. "Along with the cop that distracted her by doing the 'Macarena' while on crowd control?"
"I remember that incident. They called the cop 'Macarena Cop', but didn't reveal his name." Blinking, Ritsu asks, "You mean… you're 'Macarena Cop', Officer Jenkins?"
"That I am, Doc. No thanks, of course, to Kinsey and those fast-acting painkillers she gave me that day." Ritsu's lips twitch into an involuntary smirk, with Machiko's curling into a smile before both women start trembling in mirth.
"That's… too…" Ritsu's voice trails off as she lightly snorts, with Machiko smirking softly.
"Aw nuts. You promised!"
"Sorry, Officer, but…" Ritsu lets out a giggle while Machiko snickers. "It's just too funny to not laugh at!" With that, Ritsu and Machiko both erupt into hysterics, leaning on each other while laughing. Jenk, however, rolls his eyes before sheepishly grinning.
"Yeah, I guess it is just too funny for one to not laugh at." Machiko gives Jenk a soft smile, her giggles tapering off, with Jenk commenting, "You've got a pretty smile, Machiko." Machiko can only blush softly, yet her smile doesn't fade.
(Sychola's office; same time)
By the time Brian and Sychola are done telling Ellie and Janice about Dread and the aliases he'd used, Janice gets to work. Ellie, however, eyes Dyson and Sychola intently. Hisnokasu doing the same thing. Dyson noticing it.
"Aunt Ellie?" Sychola and Hisnokasu both blink at that before Ellie smiles softly.
"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't be 'Aunt Ellie' right now, Agent Dyson. Neither can 'Aunt Janice'. Right now, it's Agents DeWitt and Zuckerman. Okay?" Brian nods at that before Ellie goes serious. "The fact you know of someone of that kind of reputation disturbs me. How about you, Janice?"
"I'm quite disturbed. I'm sure that Brian is just as disturbed."
"Oh, I am. No need to doubt that." Brian shudders at that before he adds, "Just remembering how Captain Sychola and I puzzled it out is enough to make my skin crawl. And on top of that…" His voice trailing off when he recalls his surrogate Aunts hadn't been 'fully' briefed on what he's thinking about, Brian shakes his head. Only Janice notices it.
"Brian? What is it, sweetie?" Ellie notices his reluctance as well and, out of concern for him, gently takes his hand into hers.
"Brian, please, if it's important, or if it can help the investigation into Dread, then please tell us, sweetie." Sychola notices his timidity and sighs.
"They need to know, Dyson, but only if you can trust them enough with it. Lot of lives are on the line as it is." Brian silently nods before looking up at Ellie.
"What're your clearance levels, Agents DeWitt and Zuckerman?" Ellie and Janice both blink at that before Hisnokasu clears his throat.
"I think I'd better make myself scarce, especially if the topic's going to be a doozy of a bombshell." Making his way out of the office, he has one thought on his mind. 'I'd better inform SECGEN of this!' Seeing Machiko come back into the office area, he smiles softly. "Machiko, could you please tell anyone that comes to see Captain Sychola that he's in a meeting and cannot be disturbed?"
"Yes, Lieutenant, I can. In fact, I was just coming back to try reaching Ray again."
"Okay, go ahead. Good luck." Getting a nod and smile from her, Hisnokasu goes on. Meanwhile, Machiko's picking up the phone and pressing in a number long memorized. One ring later, she hears a familiar male voice.
"Interpol, Tokyo-2, Acting Director Blunt speaking." Machiko's eyes can't help but go wide.
"Acting Director, Ray? When'd that happen?" When Ray's voice comes back, Machiko can tell he's smiling widely and smiles widely herself.
"Machiko, hi! I've missed you!"
"I've missed you too, Ray." Faintly aware of her eyes misting up, Machiko clears them up and clears her throat. "Back to my question though, Ray. When'd you make Acting Director?"
"Oh, about four-five days ago when Director Simms got kicked upstairs to be UNPC by SECGEN. Now for my question. Where have you been? Santiago told me what that hair-brain Cochrane did. As we speak, I'm running a search for him, along with going over the lists of the cartels with worldwide reach."
"Tokyo-3, working at Section-2 for Captain Sychola."
"Section-2? As in the Section-2 Agent Dyson's with?"
"The very same, Ray."
"Ah. So, why call me now? While it's nice to think you're calling to catch up with me, I get the feeling there's official business involved."
"It's because there is, Ray. How would you like to interrogate Cochrane as a guest interrogator?" Machiko can tell Ray's blinking his eyes and giggles softly. "That's right, Ray. He's here in Tokyo-3 under Section-2 custody."
"Oh, Machiko, much as I'd love to interrogate Cochrane right now, just to see him squirm, I'll have to wait and see until after the bust." That in itself gets Machiko to blink.
"Bust? What bust?"
"Big shipment coming in tonight at Old Yokosuka. I'm talking cocaine, marijuana, heroin, Ecstasy, PCP, GHB, methamphetamine… you name it. There may also be antiquities from around the world, firearms and explosives coming in with the shipment. Maybe even people being smuggled."
"That's pretty big, Ray. I take it your 'snitch' dropped a dime."
"Oh yeah. May be bigger than what I can handle. I'm fixing to call the UNLEC for assistance."
"Go ahead and make the call, Ray. There should be no 'fixing' about it. Interpol may have jurisdiction with member nations, but help from others goes a long way." Ray's chuckles get Machiko to smile fondly before chuckling herself.
"Oh, how I missed your practical mind. It's a pity you're still single. Unless, of course, you'd eloped since the last time I saw you." Machiko's face suddenly goes beet red before she chuckles again.
"No, Ray, I haven't eloped. I wouldn't do that to you as it wouldn't be right to not have you there."
"Oh? You found someone that popped the question on you or may pop the question on you?"
"Ray!" Her voice comes out as a whine, yet her face is still beet red. "We only just met!"
"Oh, so there is someone, huh. Well, well, I know I've got to meet him. Who is he, what does he do?" Machiko's soft growl gets him to chuckle as he adds, "I'll find out when I get there, Machiko. So be ready for him to meet me."
"I will, Ray. Oh, Ray?"
"Yeah, Machiko?"
"Don't get dead."
"I'll do my best to not get dead."
"You'd better not get dead because I want you to give me away at the wedding." Her face is beet red still, yet she goes on. "Should we get to that point, anyway."
"Oh you'll get to that point, Machiko. After all, a guy would have to be crazy to not want a pretty girl like you in his life." Machiko can only smile softly at his words.
"Thank you, Ray."
"You're welcome, Machiko." With that, the call ends and Machiko stays seated. Hoping her blush will fade to where it's a soft pink.
(Ikari apartment; same time)
As he fixes lunch for himself and Rits, a naked Shinji suddenly feels a pair of bare breasts against his back as a pair of slender arms wrap around his torso.
"Smells good, stud." Rits' voice is joined by the feeling of her lips against his back as she snuggles against him. "Mmm, you were wonderful this morning."
"I'd expected you'd be tired, Rits. After all, we did go at it quite fervently." Rits giggles at that before snaking her hands down his torso to his member. "Do I need to look up 'sex-aholics anonymous' or just keep fucking you until you're passed out? Asleep." Rits giggles again as she starts stroking his member, getting Shinji to roll his eyes. "Can I at least finish making our lunch please?"
"Sure. While you're doing that, tell me about your day yesterday. You were wiped out when you got home, much like I'm sure Asuka was too."
"Oh, we were, Rits. We were." From there, he tells her everything. By the time he's done, Rits is shaking her head in disbelief.
"A robot that's so close to being human, it practically 'thinks' it is?"
"Yep. Kinda freaky, huh?"
"Very freaky. But, aren't you and Asuka worried about Kensuke recognizing Asuka in any way?"
"I admit, that thought is troublesome. Even with Asuka removing her clips, it might not be enough. We may have to think outside the box for this one."
"Okay." Kissing his back again before ending her stroking session, she adds, "I'd better let you cook as I doubt 'baby batter' would be a proper ingredient for what you're making." Shinji can only smile softly at his wife while she goes to the table and picks up the paper.
"No, it wouldn't be." Rits sticking her tongue out playfully at him gets Shinji to snicker softly, with Rits snickering herself before looking at the paper. "What'd you think about your Mom's reaction to the attack on Dr Roilson's aircraft?"
"I think she knows him in some way, from long ago. Like before 2nd Impact."
"Yeah. Asuka and I are gonna have to take her to him so she can sleep easier because she was quite distraught." Rits hums in agreement before gasping. "Rits? What is it?"
"I think I found the solution to your problem about Kensuke recognizing Asuka." Shinji goes to her side and grins.
"That'll work." He then looks Rits over and asks, "How about you, Rits? So Asuka won't be the only one." Rits blinks at that before smiling warmly.
"It's for a good cause. How about Mom and Misato?"
"Let's ask them. But first, we eat." Going back to the stove and putting the food onto plates, he adds, "Then we get dressed before we ask them." Rits can't help but pout cutely.
"Aww, and I wanted us to be naked when we ask them, too." Her cute pout doesn't last, however, as she quickly cracks up laughing. Shinji right behind her as he sits down across from her before they start eating.
(Sychola's Office; same time)
"My word. So Dread got the Anti Terrorism unit shut down so he can kill half the world's population without interference?" Ellie's query gets a nod from Brian and Sychola both before the blond snorts. "Seems he doesn't take repeated defeats very well."
"Yes. A sore loser by all definitions." Brian nods his agreement at that before chiming in.
"You got that right, Aunt Janice." Janice's voice is troubled as she goes on.
"Even more, there's someone doing their homework through the UNBI servers. Using those seven letters as the criteria."
"Anagram-based aliases, huh?" Grunting, Sychola adds, "It'd be just like him. A cowardly sack of shit on all counts." Electing to change the subject, he asks, "So, Dyson, why'd you bring Cochrane here if he's the subject of a manhunt?"
"I think he may have hostile intent toward the Evangelion Pilots, sir. By his own admission, he had been involved with the theft of the prototype compact N-2 devices and tried to obstruct an official investigation by UNNIC. He'd even done it for profit. Of course, the money seized was counterfeit."
"Well, that won't do at all. I wonder if Machiko had been able to get hold of her friend yet."
"I can find out, sir. Besides, I need to get on that exhumation detail."
"Very well. Go ahead." Brian nods and exits the office, leaving Sychola alone with Ellie and Janice. Both women have warm smiles on their faces from having watched Brian and Sychola's interactions. "Agents?" Janice's smile goes sheepish before she responds.
"Sorry, it's just that the way you two interact with each other. It's almost as if you'd known each other your whole lives." Ellie nods in agreement before Sychola notices the folder. Ellie noticing it. "I don't think Tom or Brian would mind. If anything, it might help you fill in a blank or two."
"Good point." Gently turning the folder toward himself, Sychola leafs through the paperwork before getting to the last page. As his eyes pore over it, they 'bulge' out. "You've got to be shitting me."
"Gunny?" Ellie's query is unheard by Sychola as his mind goes back.
(Flashback; 1993; summer)
"Sychola here."
"Hey, Peter, it's Tom!" Sychola's face lit up in a smile before he chuckled.
"Hey, Dyson. Long time no hear. How've you been?"
"I've been alright. Are you sitting down at the moment?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
"I'm going to be a Father. And I want you to be the Godfather." His eyes welling up in tears, Sychola smirked softly.
"Nothing would please me more. But, I thought the wedding was supposed to come first."
"That's what we wanted, but… ugh. The guy my lady works under is a dick. And I mean the offensive type, too."
"How so?"
"When the kid's born, she's being transferred out from DC and away from us. Even though she'd offered her resignation when he denied her transfer request. Even more, her resignation was declined."
"WHAT?! IS HE ON DRUGS?!" Tom snorting mirthfully had Sychola smirking himself.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he was, Peter. I really wouldn't be." Sychola clenched and released his left hand seven times, each, before regaining control.
"What's the idiot's name?"
"Walt Sommers."
"Okay. Next time I'm in DC, which'll be next week, I'm going to pay Sommers a little visit. You in?"
"Oh, it's tempting, Gunny. Very tempting. But I don't want you to get yourself into trouble and ruin your career."
"Fuck my career. If you two make each other happy, then you should be together. Tell that to Walt next time you see him."
"Oh I will. After I let loose some rage on the range so I can bring down the urge to kneecap that SOB."
"Yeah, well, you can believe I'll be getting some range time in myself before I come see you two. Oh, forgot to ask you. What's her name?"
"Madeline Simms. She's an Interpol Inspector from Great Britain."
"English gal, huh. I seem to recall you had a thing for ladies with an English accent back then." Tom's chuckles got Sychola to laugh softly.
"And I recall you had a thing for cute Chinese ladies when we were on liberty. What was that one called? Sue Ling Kim or was it the other way around?"
"The other way around. And it was not a thing. She was just very affectionate."
"Oh sure. Explains why she had her tongue down your throat while…"
"Red light, Marine." Tom chuckled again while Sychola rolled his eyes. "So, what're you hoping it'll be?"
"A boy. Maddie thinks it'll be a boy. Don't ask me why as I'm not going to try venturing into unknown territory."
"Then I look forward to seeing you with him in your arms. In the meantime, try going over Walt's head because there's got to be a reason he's denying her transfer and resignation."
"Oh, he's got a reason. He doesn't want her to waste her life raising a child when she could put her energy toward more important pursuits."
"Such as pursuing international criminals."
"Yep. Like I said, he's a dick."
"More than a dick, Tom. He's a dick that excretes shit." Tom gave a chuckle at that, with Sychola right behind him. "You going to be okay, man?"
"Yeah. I'll be okay. I just don't know if I can do this alone. You know?"
"You're not alone, Tom. Never forget that."
"I won't. See you next week."
"Yeah. See you." Ending the call, Sychola slammed his right fist onto his desk. "Fucking asshole of a dick!"
(End of flashback)
Sychola blinks and sees a concerned Ellie looking over him, Janice going toward his office's door.
"You okay, Gunny?"
"Yeah, Agent DeWitt. It's just that… it seems I'm Brian's Godfather." His eyes going over the paper again, he gently reads the words on it. "'Brian Liam Dyson. Born: March 14 1994. Father: Thomas Joseph Dyson. Mother: Madeline Evangeline Simms. Godfather: Peter Herman Sychola.'" Blinking at the last part, Sychola can't help but be in disbelief.
"My middle name's Herman?"
"It could be worse."
"How so, Agent Zuckerman?"
"It could be Brent." Mulling it over, Sychola has only one thing to say.
"Good point."
(Ikari apartment; three hours later)
"Okay, Rits. Shall we?" Rits nods softly as Shinji wraps plastic bagging before bringing up a pair of gardening shears. "This is the only way I know of to make it fast. Once I start, there's no turning back." Rits nods again before taking a deep breath and exhaling.
"I'm ready." Nodding, Shinji opens the shears and directs them to where he wants them. Once the blades are in position, he turns toward her.
"You sure you want to keep your eyes open for this?"
"I want to see it happen, Shinji." Getting a nod of understanding from him, she adds, "Bring it on." Shinji quickly closes the blades, lopping off the target.
"There we go." Putting the shears down, he picks up the wrapping and ties it off before admiring his handiwork. "What do you think, Rits?" Running her fingers through her shortened to her shoulders mane, Rits smiles widely.
"Nice, Shinji. This can be a good look for me. Okay, Asuka, Shinji's ready for you." The redhead nods as Rits gets up from the chair and goes to join Deidre. "How're you holding up, Mom?"
"Well as I can expect to, Ritsy. I can't believe you wanted your hair cut in such a fashion."
"It's for a good cause, Deidre. 'Locks of Love' has been around for a long time now." Misato's voice is soft before she watches the redhead squint her eyes shut. Just as the shears close quickly and Asuka's once long mane is trimmed to her shoulders as well. "But I get the feeling you're talking about more than Shinji using a pair of gardening shears to cut our hair."
"I am, Misato. Are you two sure it was Greg's plane?"
"We are, Deidre." Asuka gets up from the chair as Shinji ties off the bag her hair had been wrapped into as Misato takes a seat. "Shinji did a records check on that bird and everything. B-2 Spirit bomber, # 3598-Y, retired in 2001, five months after 2nd Impact occurred. Bought by an unknown man for an unknown purpose. Based on what you told us, however, it seems he'd gutted the bomb bay and refitted it for medical purposes."
"And Greg was the only one that survived." At Asuka's nod, Deidre asks, "When can I see him?"
"How about after you get trimmed, Deidre?" Misato's voice has warm playfulness within, getting Deidre to grin.
"Sure. Though I can hardly wait to see a purple wig on a survivor's head." Watching as Shinji shears Misato's hair to her shoulders, Deidre can't help but be impressed. "You're pretty good, Shinji. Been doing that long?"
"First time actually." Deidre can't help but chuckle at that.
"Let no one tell you otherwise, Shinji. You're good with shears."
"Thank you, Deidre." Misato then gets up while Shinji ties off the bag with her hair in it, allowing Deidre to sit. Feeling Shinji wrap the plastic around her hair, she hears the shears opening and feels the back of the blade against her neck. "Ready?" At her silent nod, Shinji lops off her hair to her shoulders.